DNA Diagnosis

Genome testing company Pure Genetic Lifestyle claims to be able to test sensitivity to more than 1,000 foods, from chia seeds to pasta. The results of your at-home cheek-swab test – which take two weeks to process and are returned in a glossy hardback book, as well as online – show your sensitivity to a host of medications (including anti-allergy treatments, cancer-fighting drugs and antibiotics), so if you do end up having an allergy, you’ll be well equipped to deal with it.Pure Genetic Lifestyle health and nutrition analysis, £1,365, Puregeneticlifestyle.com

Advertisement

Homeopathic Help

Science and nature unite with the Organic Pharmacy’s food intolerance testing. It involves a detailed lifestyle analysis with a trained homeopath followed by an examination with a Quantum QXCI machine, which uses the body’s electrical frequencies to flag lactose intolerance, food allergies and serotonin function – all in under an hour. The Organic Pharmacy food intolerance testing, £70, Theorganicpharmacy.com

Better Bugs

A study that runs in a number of hospitals worldwide, Presto feeds hypoallergenic milk (half with probiotics) to infants with milk allergies. “The hypothesis is that the infants who have been treated with probiotics will outgrow their allergy,” says Dr Adam Fox, clinical lead for allergy at Guy’s and St Thomas’s. The same sensitisation treatment can be applied to adults: “A daily pollen tablet under the tongue has shown to effectively relieve hay fever, as has exposing teens with peanut allergies to peanuts under medical supervision,” Dr Fox explains. “The problem is once you stop taking the daily dose of exposure, the allergy returns in full force.” Guysandstthomas.nhs.uk

Tech Aid

This autumn sees the launch of Tzoa, a wearable enviro-tracker that detects tiny PM10 particles, including allergens such as pollen and dust. Not only that, the nifty device also plans routes that avoid problem areas, compares particle levels in different neighbourhoods, and offers allergy advice.Price to be confirmed, Tzoa.com

Read next

Friday Fitness Fix: KxU Opening

ByKathleen Baird-Murray

Simplify Skincare

While certain skincare ingredients have been flagged for years as allergens, New York dermatologist Dr Dennis Gross – who has just launched a range of vitamin C products – believes hard water causes complaints. “It’s high in minerals such as calcium and heavy metals, which provoke inflammation of the skin,” he says. The solution? “I have started to put chelators in my products, which are basically water softeners.” Dr Dennis Gross Skincare C+ Collagen Brighten + Firm Vitamin C Serum, £72, at Selfridges.com